Hollywood Workers Fired Over 115 Missing Lunches

HOLLYWOOD — Two city workers were fired this week after police accused them of stealing lunches intended for children of low-income parents.

Hadrise Smith, 48, and Gail Saunders, 31, were dismissed after 115 prepared lunches disappeared June 24 from the Northeast Community Center in Hollywood`s Liberia neighborhood, city records show.

In accordance with city rules, Smith, a full-time recreational leader since 1971, was suspended with pay on Monday and officially fired today, records show. Saunders, a part-time recreation employee since 1972, was fired Monday.

Recreation Superintendent Irene Devin said criminal charges have not been lodged, adding that the investigation is continuing.

``We won`t know anything more for a couple of days,`` Devin said.

Devin said she notified police of the missing lunches. Police reported last Thursday that witnesses had seen Smith and Saunders taking lunches out of the center.

Both Smith, who had a key to the cooler, and Saunders admitted taking the lunches, according to city records.

As a full-time employee, Smith can appeal his firing to the city`s Civil Service Board. Devin said she expected Smith to appeal.

Saunders cannot appeal.

The city is using a $40,500 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to pay for lunches at four community centers in the city. Devin said she feared the incident may jeopardize the grant.